We here at Epilogg HQ can talk for DAYS about the ways Epilogg is better than a traditional obituary, about how you can truly Say It All. For free. (Seriously, we’ll talk your ear off. Don’t test us. Or maybe do!)
But even better than hearing from us is hearing from Epilogg users. One of our favorite recent Epiloggs celebrates the life of Erika Wright. Erika’s life could be the source material for a great novel: so varied and interesting and inspiring and colorful. Immigrant, mother, card shark, baker, birder, pilgrim, force of nature. We talked with two of her nine kids, Connie and Milton, about their experience with Epilogg.
Can you comment on the ease of use of Epilogg? What was your experience with the tech part of creating an Epilogg?
Connie: I had a death in the family less than two years ago and couldn’t imagine having the strength to write another obituary. Epilogg seemedeasy to use, and indeed it was easy to use. I am an older, seasoned person; I know how to use technology in its simplest forms. I was nervous that I might need assistance to input information and photos. That never was true. The system is very easy to use for me and my siblings, many of whom are in their 60s.
Milton: I found the process very easy to use. I heard the same thing from friends and family who used it as well.
Can you comment on the value of Epilogg being free?
Milton: Having it free was wonderful. We used the funds allocated for the obituary for other aspects of the funeral, which was a pleasant surprise.
Connie: As I mentioned, we had a recent death prior to Mama’s; that other obituary cost over $500. We were quite surprised when we learned Epilogg was free, especially given the many features.
Did Epilogg help to connect with extended family and if so, how?
Connie: I have 8 siblings and too many cousins to count. As soon as we had service details, I sent a flurry of texts with the copied Epilogg link. I asked all to hit the follow button, so I wouldn’t have to update them once we added more info. Once they followed the Epilogg, they got notices anytime it was updated. An added bonus was that I easily shared the link on Facebook (and it looked so nice!), which was an easy way to let extended family and friends know.
Milton: It helped exceedingly well for many relatives that I had not been in contact with for a long time. Having this link helped us connect efficiently and expediently. I merely copied and pasted the link and sent via email.
Any anecdotes about how you decided what to put in the Epilogg?
Milton: We updated it daily. Sometimes with funerals, tensions are high. We had to remove a photo at the last minute. We could do it easily.
Connie: As a large family there were MANY photos we wanted to add. We were not limited to what we could add. Another bonus was when someone added a photo which included a person we wish wasn’t included, it was so easy to delete the photo quickly.
What are your thoughts about being able to tell a full story of a person’s life vs just names, dates, descendants which so often happens in a traditional obituary?
Connie: Mama led a big life. (Editor’s note: yes she DID!) There were so many aspects of her personality. It would have been difficult to squeeze all of that into an obituary.
Milton: It was great, especially for people who couldn’t make the services. They were able to get a wonderful overview and they learned so much about Mama through the Epilogg.
Did having the donation links in one place make a difference for your family?
Milton: Mama would be so proud and happy that her special charities received donations in her name. It was very easy, especially when writing thank you cards. We were able to quickly get a listing of donations.
Connie: Mama would have loved that her favorite charities were included. We received very few flowers, which was our preference. So it worked perfectly.
Other thoughts on the Epilogg experience? from you or your family?
Connie: There were so many unexpected things to think about during final preparations We didn’t have to spend a lot of time on an obituary. However, I think Mama’s Epilogg made the biggest impact of all the items we had to work on. Friends still comment on Mama’s life. IT”S AN AMAZING SITE FOR REAL.
Milton: Thinking of folks who live far away who could comment about Mama…many relatives were not able to attend the services. The Epilogg provided a way for them to be part of the process to say goodbye. The Epilogg comment section also was a catalyst for others to join in being grateful for Mama. The remembering of Mama made them and all the readers smile.
Just in case you missed it, here’s Erika’s Epilogg: https://create.epilogg.com/epilogg/view/1121. Thank you, Connie and Milton, for sharing your thoughts and sharing your beautiful mother with the world.